More snow possible Friday afternoon with below zero windchills into night hours – Chicago Tribune

Former USAID staffers in Washington, D.C., left their offices for the last time, carrying boxes with messages directed at President Trump, who is reducing the agency's workforce. A federal judge cleared the way for mass layoffs to proceed, as the Trump administration aims to streamline operations and cut costs. The agency plans to retain less than 300 employees out of 8,000, with criticism focused on alleged wasteful spending and controversial projects funded by USAID. Full...

The Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service is preparing for a potential Trump administration takeover, retaining outside counsel to oppose any executive order to dissolve USPS leadership and merge the agency with the Department of Commerce. Despite White House officials denying immediate plans for USPS changes, Trump's new commerce secretary has been tasked with reviewing the agency's operations. House Democrats and union leaders have criticized any potential takeover as unconstitutional and harmful to...

Harrison Ford remains unimpressed by artificial intelligence and is not concerned about securing control of his likeness from studios. OpenAI is implementing new measures to address bias in its products, including ChatGPT, while Chipotle Mexican Grill is using AI tools to hire more workers for "burrito season." Despite a lackluster start, Apple's AI venture is expected to improve with its large user base, according to Futurum Group CEO Daniel Newman. Full Article

In a series of unfortunate events, two friends lost important items - a phone and a wallet - leading to reflections on the nature of loss and impermanence. While initially causing panic and distress, the experience ultimately led to a realization that everything we need is already within us, prompting a shift in perspective towards holding onto things more lightly. This introspective journey highlights the importance of cherishing the present moment and embracing impermanence as...

Jeffrey Ferguson, a 74-year-old former Superior Court judge, is on trial for murder after shooting his wife following a night of heavy drinking in Anaheim Hills in August 2023. He had a concealed-carry permit and a blood-alcohol level of .17 when the incident occurred. His son witnessed the shooting and testified about the argument that led to the fatal shot, while Ferguson admitted his guilt in a police interview but claims the shooting was accidental....

A South Carolina death row inmate, Brad Sigmon, has opted to be executed by firing squad, becoming the fourth inmate in the U.S. to die by this method. Sigmon, convicted of the 2001 baseball bat killings of his ex-girlfriend's parents, chose firing squad over lethal injection or the electric chair due to concerns over prolonged suffering. He has one final appeal pending before the state Supreme Court, with his lawyers arguing his trial lawyers were...